Overclock Testing

Our overclock testing uses the same system as performance testing. The configuration involves setting the CPU multiplier to 6 and FSB:RAM divider to 1:2. The only configuration settings which change throughout our overclocking tests are the vDIMM and memory clock speed (indirectly via adjusting the FSB). The vDIMM is adjusting in the BIOS, and the voltages reported are as measured using an external multimeter. Basic stability of the overclock is tested with an 8M run of superPI (mod1.5).

Rated to run at 1600MHz with 7-7-7-20 timings and 1.9v, our Ballistix kit was able to run at this specification with only 1.8v. At 2.1v, it was able to run at 80MHz over spec. Slowing down the timings to 9-9-9-24 resulted in a boost of 180MHz over the max frequency with 7-7-7-20 timings at 2.1v. Looking at the trend, the Ballistix kit should be able to overclock even further with higher voltage.

Conclusion

Overall my experience with Crucial's 2GB PC3-12800 Ballistix memory kit was good. As far as memory goes, the build quality was excellent: heatspreaders were lined up perfectly and made even contact with all IC's.

Performance wise, at clock to clock frequencies, this wasn't the fastest DDR3 memory kit I've tested, but comparing upper level frequencies, the Ballistix was competitive. In the overclocking arena, the Ballistix kit scaled well with extra voltage, hitting 1680MHz at 7-7-7-20 timings and 1860MHz at 9-9-9-24 timings. I wished that the heatspreaders were capable of handling the extra voltage, as they got got hot at 2.1v.

I've found every Crucial Ballistix memory kit I've worked with to have a balance of good looks, performance and overclockability, and the DDR3 PC3-12800 kit was no exception. circuitREMIX is proud to award Crucial's Ballistix 2GB PC3-12800 DDR3 memory kit with an 8/10 and our Bronze award!